The world reacts to the midterm election results: Cautious allies, triumphant opponents and a Europe on the fence
The Republican defeat did not alter key alliances. Japan, the United Kingdom and China reaffirmed their continued support for Washington, while Iran portrayed the result as a rejection of war. Caution prevails in Europe.
The Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol
The Republican defeat in the 2026 midterms sparked immediate reactions in allied capitals and among the opponents of Washington. While Japan, the United Kingdom and China emphasized the continuity of the alliance and cooperation with the United States, the Iranian regime seized on the result to portray it as a supposed rejection of war.
In Europe, several governments and analysts warned that a Democratic Congress does not guarantee a shift toward moderation in the foreign policy of Donald Trump, who retains broad executive powers in matters of trade, sanctions, and military action.
Allies: Continuity with caution
Japan reaffirmed on Wednesday that its alliance with the U.S. remains key to global peace and stability, regardless of the outcome of the midterms.
Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, told the newspaper, The Mainichi, that the alliance between the two countries "remains the cornerstone of Japan's foreign and security policy" and is crucial for "maximizing its national interests" in an increasingly volatile and uncertain global context.
The United Kingdom struck a similar tone. Health Minister James Frith, described election night as "a huge night for American democracy and for the Democrats." He added that it represented "a seismic shift in American domestic politics," though he clarified that the government of Andy Burnham will maintain an "excellent" relationship with the Trump administration.
For his part, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, hailed the midterm election results as a "true rejection of Donald Trump's harmful and divisive politics." He emphasized that the Democrats succeeded in connecting with voters thanks to a message centered on hope, unity, and support for families facing the cost of living.
Europe: Hope and skepticism
In Europe, the reaction was more nuanced. Several governments see a Democratic-controlled Congress a possible way to curb tariff measures, attach conditions to aid and increase oversight of the White House; however, few expect a profound change in U.S. foreign policy.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius congratulated the Democrats on their "historic victory" in the House of Representatives and the Senate, but the general European reaction was one of caution. European Union diplomats and NATO who were consulted before the election warned that Trump's unpredictability is unlikely to disappear with a legislative defeat.
France echoed that same caution. France's Economy Minister Roland Lescure, was interviewed on the program "Face-à-Face" on BFM and RMC, where he was asked about the results of the U.S. midterm elections. During that appearance, Lescure emphasized that it was "an indisputable victory for the Democrats." The minister acknowledged that Trump will continue to lead foreign policy, though he highlighted his reputation for unpredictability.
Spain: A harsher political interpretation
Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered one of the most politically charged reactions from Europe. He stated on X that American voters rejected policies that "only impoverish," as well as hatred, sexism and climate change denial.
Sanchez went further, arguing that "the ultra-right wave that Feijóo and Abascal are trying to ride is no longer rising, it's crumbling."
The Kremlin hopes Trump will continue his "efforts for peace"
Russia hopes that Donald Trump will continue his "efforts toward peace" after the midterm elections, the Kremlin on Wednesday.
"President Trump continues to exercise his powers. We sincerely hope that he will also continue his efforts toward peace," said Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, to Russian journalist Alexander Yunashev in a video posted by the reporter.
China: Calculated prudence
China refrained from openly celebrating the Republican setback. Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, described the result as an "internal" matter of the United States, but reaffirmed that Beijing is willing to continue working with Washington to implement the agreements reached during the recent state visit by Xi Jinping.
"China is willing to continue working with the U.S. to uphold and implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen communication, properly manage differences, expand cooperation and build a constructive and strategically stable relationship between China and the U.S. based on the principles of respect, fairness and reciprocity," he said.
Iran: Triumphalism and a warning
The Iranian regime was the adversary that reacted most strongly. The speaker of the Iranian Parliament and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated on X that the results show that Americans said "no to war," linking the Republican defeat to the economic cost of the conflict with Iran.
Ghalibaf added a warning: if Washington ignores this supposed will of the people to cater to what he called "international payers and blackmailers," Iran will respond with consequences. His message seeks to portray the GOP's defeat as a validation of the Iranian position and as a means of pressuring the White House.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Wednesday that anyone expecting a change in U.S. policy was "very much mistaken," hours after the midterm elections dealt a severe blow to President Donald Trump.
"Those who still harbor even the slightest hope that the behavior of the hegemonic system might change through partisan or factional shifts, or who imagine that making concessions to the United States might dissuade it from its hostility toward the Iranian nation are very much mistaken," Khamenei stated in a written declaration published on his website and reported by AFP.
South Africa: "A new era"
South Africa also responded with a message of continuity. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the results will mark a new era in global relations.
"We have seen that the Democrats have taken control of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the American people have spoken. … I believe this will usher in a new era in global relations," Ramaphosa told reporters after voting in South Africa's municipal elections held on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
"Although we are saddened that we have been excluded from the AGOA, our trade relations with the United States continue," he added.
Elon Musk jokes about the GOP's election defeat
Musk, who became the largest individual donor of the election cycle with nearly $450 million invested in Republican candidates and groups, wrote on X: "I guess my space lasers to interfere with the elections didn't work this time," accompanied by a shrugging emoji.
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